Automatic control for cone crushers



June 1931- a. W..B ZENNETT 1,808,914;

AUTOMATIC CONTROL FOR CONE CRUSHERS Fileii Aug. 16, 1929 Patented June 9, 1931 UNITED STATES OFFICE GEORGE W. BENNETT, OF IVIILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR T0 NORDBERG- MANIT- FACTURING COMPANY, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF WIS- CONSIN AUTOMATIC CONTROL FOR GONE CRUSI-IER-S Application filed August 16, 1929. Serial No. 386,403.

My invention relates to an automatic control and particularly to an automatic control adaptable for controlling the actuating means of a mechanism in response to an interference with or changes in pressure of an oiling system. One example of the use of my invention is its employment in connection with a lubricating system of a cone crusher. I do not wish to be so limited except so far as I expressly limit myself by the language of my claims. One object of my invention is to provide means for stopping machinery, such as a cone crusher, in response to stoppages in the oil or lubricating line of such a machine. Another object is the provision of means for stopping the actuation of such a machine or crusher in response to a drop in the pressure system below a predetermined minimum. Another object is the provision or" electrical control means associated with a pressure gauge.

Other objects will appear from time to time in the course of the specification and claims.

I illustrate my invention more or less diagrammatically in the accompanying drawing the single figure of which represents a gyratory cone crushes to which has been applied my automatic control means.

Like parts are indicated by like symbols throughout the specification and drawing.

Referring to the drawing, A generally indicates any suitable supporting means upon which the base portion A of the crusher is mounted. Since the details of the crusher form no part per se of the present invention I do not indicate the crusher in detail but it will be understood that it may be of a gymtory type such as is shown for example in the Symons Patent Nos. 1,537,564 and 1,537,565.

B generally indicates a drive shaftfor such a crusher, with which is associated the driving pulley B about which passes the belt B to the drive pulley B by any suitable motive means, for example the electric motor diagrammatically illustrated as B. This motor is included in an actuating electric circuit formed in part by the conductive lines B and 13.

Associated with, or responsive directly or indirectly to the rotation of the shaft B, is any suitable Oll pump diagrammatically i1- lustrated at C. It will be understood that this pump is positioned in any suitable oiling or lubricating system for the gyratory cone crusher. Since the details of such system form no part per se of the present invention they are not indicated herein. The system may include the oil tank G with the return line C and the line C whereby oil is upwardly drawn from the tank in response to' actuation of the pump. The oil so drawn may flow to the pump through the line C, The oil is expelled from the pump for example along in continuation of the line C the line C and'thence passes to the line C and the line C past the sight feed oil gauge O and thence by the line C to the crusher, for circulation through whatever system of ducts may be necessary for the lubrication of the moving parts. It will be understood that which preferablyincludes a sight feed oil" gauge, whereby an operator can tell at a:

propglance whether or notoil is circulating erly through the system.

Owing to the possibility of carelessness'on the part of the operator, or of absence on the part of the operator, I provide an additional automatic control arrangement which renders the system practically self-functioning. it may einploy for example the Oll duct D, shown as anextension of O. This oil duct D communicates with a pressure gauge generally indicated as D and has associated with it, between the pressure gauge and the pump,

any suitable means, such as the air chamber D for preventing the periodicfluctuations in pressure or temporary drops in "pressure frombeing too accuratelyand too quickly refiected in the action of the pressuregauge.

The pressure'gauge may include a fixed conductive member, shown as the segment D to which is opposed the conductive pointing finger D These two opposed conductive elements are associated in the low voltage circuit which may be completed by the lines D D. These lines are in communication with the switch generally indicated as E. It will be noted that the segments D will not be contacted by the finger D unless and until the pressure in the oil system reaches five pounds. The particular pressure. at which the device is set may be varied by the proportion or location of the segment I) or of whatever equivalent therefor is employed.

While I do not wish to be limited to any specific type of switch I illustrate as a practical means the switch E which includes the leaf E in conductive contact as by the line E adapted to be drawn to and held in engagement with the opposed contact member E by means of the solenoid E which is actuated by the low voltage lines D The mem- 'ber E is associated with the conductive line B leading to the motor 3 and the line E in electrical circuit with the motor E which provides motive means for driving the conveyor E WVhatever type of switch is employed it will be understood that in the operation of the device means are provided for breaking the main actuating circuit for the member 13*, through the lines E B in response to breaking the circuit in which the members D and D are included.

It is important also, where feeding or conveying means are employed with the crusher, that such conveying means also stop when the crusher stops. By having the switch E control the general circuit or circuits for all the associated machinery, it will be seen that when the switch or circuit breaker E is in circuit breaking position, not only the crusher but all the associated conveyors and the like will also stop.

It will be realized that whereas I have described and shown a practical and operative device, nevertheless many changes might be made in the size, shape, number and disposition of parts without departing from the spirit of my invention. I therefore wish my description and showing to be taken as in a broad sense illustrative and diagrammatic rather than as limiting me to my specific showing. In particular I wish it to be understood that wherein the claims I use the terms switch or circuit breaker, I wish such terms to be interpreted as sutliciently broad to cover any means for closing the actuating circuit when the pressure in the oil system exceeds the predetermined minimum, and for breaking it when the pressure drops below said minimum. V

The use and operation of my invention are as follows:

In employing automatic means for controlling the actuation of the crusher, in response to conditions in the lubricating system, I may employ means for breaking the actuating circuit in response to a drop in pressure in the oil system below a predetermined minimum pressure. In starting the system it will be necessary to close the switch or circuit breaker E for example manually, and to hold it closed until sufficient pressure is developed in the oil system, in response to rotation or actuation of the oil pump,'to carry the member 13* into conductive contact with the member D Once this minimum pressure has been reached the low voltage circuit which includes the said members, will be effective to hold the switch or circuit breaker in circuit closing position. Thereby the. supply of current will be provided not only for the motor B which actuates the crusher proper, but for whatever motor or motors actuate the associated conveyor systems, elevators, and the like and whatever is used with the crushing machine. It is extremely important, for example in cone crushers, that the lubricating oil circulation be constantly andfully maintained. Otherwise bearings will quickly burn out and stoppage ensues and expensive delays and damages to the machines. In the system herein disclosed the oil is circulated through the sight feed oil gauge C Where an operator is constantly watching this gauge stoppage of the oil circulation may be immediately observed and the operator may then break the motor circuit and stop the actuation of the crusher and its associated conveyors. In addition to this non-automatic control means andin order to supplement it, or replace it, I prefer to employ an automatic means, responsive to pressure in the. oil system, whereby the actuating circuit for the crusher and its attendant conveyors is instantly and automatically broken in response to a drop of pressure below a predetermined minimum. If any accumulation of dirt, or other stoppage, blocks the passage of oil through the system, the pressure to which the pressure gauge D responds is reduced, the member D drops beyond the lower end of the member D the low voltage circuit is broken, and the switch or circuit breaker E immediately moves into circuit breaking position, and cuts off the supply of power. Whereas I prefer to employ a low voltage circuit to control the switch, it will be understood that I may employ other means and what I consider important is not so much the particular details of the circuit, as the employment of an automatic control which acts to break the actuating circuit when pressure in the lubricating system drops below a predetermined minimum. In order to prevent response of the pressure gauge to the mere pulsating lift) flow or to momentary rises or drops in pressure, I may employ the air chamber D I claim: 1. In combination, a crushing machine, an electrically actuated drive therefor, and an actuating circuit for said drive, an oil circulation system associated with the crushing machine, and means for breaking the drive actuating circuit in response to stoppage in the oil circulation system.

2. In combination, a crushing machine, an electrically actuated drive therefor, and an actuating circuit for said drive, an oil circulation system associated with the crushing machine, and means for breaking the drive actuating circuit in response to a drop in pressure in the circulation system below a predetermined minimum.

8. The structure of claim 2 characterized by the employment of a pressure gauge, a fixed contact and a movable contact, responsive to fluctuations in pressure, a circuit including said contacts, and a switch in said circuit adapted to control the drive actuating circuit.

at. In combination, a crushing machine, an electrically actuated drive therefor, an oil circulation system associated with the crushing machine, an oil pump in said system, means for driving the pump in response to the actuation of the crushing machine, an actuating circuit for the drive, a switch controlling said circuit, and means, responsive to fluctuations in pressure in the oil system, for actuating said switch.

5. The structure of claim 4 characterized by the employment of a supplemental circuit for said controlling switch and means for making and breaking it in response to fluctuations in pressure in the oil system.

6. In combination, a crushing machine, an electrically actuated drive therefor, an oil circulation system associated with the crushing machine, an oil pump in said system, means for driving the pump in response to the actuation of the crushing machine, an actuating circuit for the drive, a switch controlling said circuit, and means for maintain ing said switch closed when the pressure in the oil circulation system remains above a predetermined minimum.

7. The structure of claim 6 characterized by the employment of a supplemental actuating circuit for said switch, a fixed contact in said circuit, and a movable contact, the movable contact being responsive to pressure in the oil ciruculation system, and being adapted to maintain contact with the fixed contact as long as the pressure in the system remains drive, a circuit breaker in said power circuit, and means, responsive to the pressure in the oil circulating system, for maintaining said circuit breaker in circuit closing position as long as pressure in the oil circulation system exceeds a predetermined minimum.

9. The structure of claim 8 characterized by the employment of a supplemental circuit for the circuit breaker and means for maintaining said supplemental circuit closed as long as pressure in the oil circulation system exceeds a predetermined minimum.

10. In combination, a crushing machine, a conveyor system associated therewith, an oil circulation system associated with the crushing machine, an electrically actuated drive for the crushing machine, electrically actuated driving means for the conveyor system, a power supply circuit for said drives, a circuit breaker in said power circuit, and means, responsive to the pressure in the oil circulating system, for maintaining the circuit breaker in circuit closing position as long as pressure in the oil circulation system exceeds a predetermined mlmmum.

11. In combination, a machine including relatively moving parts, an electrically actuated drive therefor, and an actuating circuit for said drive, an oil circulation system associated with the machine, and means for breaking the drive actuating circuit in response to stoppage in the oil circulation system.

12. In combination, a machine including relatively moving parts, an electrically actuated drive therefor, and an actuating circuit for said drive, an oil circulation system associated with the machine, and means for breaking the drive actuating circuit in response to a drop in pressure in the circulation system below a predetermined minimum.

13. In combination, a crushing machine, an electrically actuated drive therefor, and an actuating circuit for said drive, an oil circulation system associated with the crushing machine, and means for breaking the drive actuating circuit in response to a drop in pressure in the circulation system below a predetermined minimum, and means for compensating for minor fiuct-uations'in pressure.

Signed at Milwaukee county of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin, this 12th day of August, 1929.

GEORGE W. BENNETT. 

